Group B: England, Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden

[Robertinho]

1. England
2. Sweden
3. Paraguay
4. Trinidad & Tobago

The top two... debatable. Think England will beat Sweden though.

 

[James]

Changing my initial picks a bit.

England:

2-1 against Paraguay, 3-0 against T&T, 1-1 against Sweden.

Sweden to top the group. England to lose to Germany 4-3 on penalties in Round 16. I can't believe how much Germany are being under-rated in the media and by fans. They'll lift and with home support they'll be extremely dangerous. If the betting odds are good, I'll slap down $20-$30 on them knocking England out.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Changing my initial picks a bit.

England:

2-1 against Paraguay, 3-0 against T&T, 1-1 against Sweden.

Sweden to top the group. England to lose to Germany 4-3 on penalties in Round 16. I can't believe how much Germany are being under-rated in the media and by fans. They'll lift and with home support they'll be extremely dangerous. If the betting odds are good, I'll slap down $20-$30 on them knocking England out.

I can't see Sweden scoring tons of goals to be honest, for the first time in a while I'm fairly confident of finishing top of the group. Agree about the Germans though, one to avoid, but fate may decide that we must meet; Germany finishing second in their group is not out of the question so us finishing top is no guarantee of avoiding them.

 

[Simon]

Changing my initial picks a bit.

England:

2-1 against Paraguay, 3-0 against T&T, 1-1 against Sweden.

Sweden to top the group. England to lose to Germany 4-3 on penalties in Round 16. I can't believe how much Germany are being under-rated in the media and by fans. They'll lift and with home support they'll be extremely dangerous. If the betting odds are good, I'll slap down $20-$30 on them knocking England out.

odds on Germany arent that great, most places have em 2nd or 3rd favourites at around $7 or $8, i suspect if the tournament wasnt in germany they'd be closer to about 15's

 

[James]

I can't see Sweden scoring tons of goals to be honest, for the first time in a while I'm fairly confident of finishing top of the group. Agree about the Germans though, one to avoid, but fate may decide that we must meet; Germany finishing second in their group is not out of the question so us finishing top is no guarantee of avoiding them.

Maybe so, but I can't help but think, that with the media and fans building this England team up as the best side since 1966 that it's just doomed to fail. England perform best when they're not expected to do well, and are clear under-dogs. The Ashes being the prime example.

odds on Germany arent that great, most places have em 2nd or 3rd favourites at around $7 or $8, i suspect if the tournament wasnt in germany they'd be closer to about 15's

I'm picking Italy to win the tournament, but I'll see what I can get on head to head when England play Germany in either Round 16 or Quarters.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

England and Sweden. Fairly confident we can beat Swedes and top the group. Paraguay to slaughter T&T 5-0 or similar.

I'll bite. Paraguay to score less than 3 goals against T&T.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Maybe so, but I can't help but think, that with the media and fans building this England team up as the best side since 1966 that it's just doomed to fail. England perform best when they're not expected to do well, and are clear under-dogs. The Ashes being the prime example.

Anyone with half a brain ignores the meedya chest thumping, don't forget all the quotes in the papers from some fans (Mike from Swindon, welder: "We're the best come on England!!" etc) aren't necessarily the majority view, they're not going to quote somone who says "quarter's maybe semi's, out on pens" which is what I and many of my friends think. I think the fans are correct in thinking this is a good England side, possibly the best set of players since you-know-when. I like being the under-dog too, but in a group comprised of Sweden, Paraguay and T&T it's hard to find anyone that wouldn't make us favourites, and even against the Germans we'd be ahead with the bookies. That's not arrogance, it's just fact.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

It's a shame that England lacks leadership...

 

[BoyBrumby]

Maybe so, but I can't help but think, that with the media and fans building this England team up as the best side since 1966 that it's just doomed to fail. England perform best when they're not expected to do well, and are clear under-dogs. The Ashes being the prime example.

I'm picking Italy to win the tournament, but I'll see what I can get on head to head when England play Germany in either Round 16 or Quarters.

TBF we were 2nd favourites for Bill going into the 2003 RU WC. Did ok then, as I recall....

I'm agnostic with yer eye-talians. Sometimes think they're a value bet, but with their current injury probs they could equally be first-rounders.

 

[Great Birtannia]

Isaksson will miss at least the first game with concussion after getting poleaxed by a Kim Kallstrom shot in training. All my fantasy sides with salary caps are going to have to have Barthez in goal now

 

[BoyBrumby]

Isaksson will miss at least the first game with concussion after getting poleaxed by a Kim Kallstrom shot in training. All my fantasy sides with salary caps are going to have to have Barthez in goal now

Fannies.

This one:

http://worldcup.fantasy-manager.co.uk/

that cpr started a league in is already locked & guess who my keeper is?!?

I already wasted one of the three transfers swapping a Spainard for a Craot 'cos I didn't realise.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Had to share this. This bloke has obviously been promoted beyond his ability. From today's Mirror:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/worldcup/ne...adline=crouch-is-a-basket-case-name_page.html

Paraguay vice-president Juan Angel Napout said: "Everyone says we are six feet under, but you have to bury us first.

"It's logical to say England and Sweden will go through from this group, but in 1950 Brazil just needed a draw to become world champions - and they lost to Paraguay.

"It is an advantage for us for people to think we are dead and buried."

Er, that was Uruguay who beat Brazil Juan, I think you'll find. The fact you didn't win the cup & they did was probably the clue. Bless.

 

[Great Birtannia]

Fannies.

This one:

http://worldcup.fantasy-manager.co.uk/

that cpr started a league in is already locked & guess who my keeper is?!?

I already wasted one of the three transfers swapping a Spainard for a Craot 'cos I didn't realise.

I entered that one but I don't think I'll bother with it now. I have Isaksson, Ballack, Van der Vaart and Ramos in the team and none will play. Spewing they locked it out so early.

 

[Cloete]

Isaksson will miss at least the first game with concussion after getting poleaxed by a Kim Kallstrom shot in training. All my fantasy sides with salary caps are going to have to have Barthez in goal now

Best 01/02 connection.

Let me guess, Bakirciouglu, Lunden and Selakovic coming into their side? Can't leave Agbar Barsom out either

 

[Great Birtannia]

Best 01/02 connection.

Let me guess, Bakirciouglu, Lunden and Selakovic coming into their side? Can't leave Agbar Barsom out either

I was racking my brain the other day trying to think of Selakovic. He was a great buy for 750k and then sell in January for 9 million Isaksson is a bloody good keeper in real life though. Kallstrom isn't too shabby either Lyon have just signed him up.

 

[Travis_Teh]

Ignoring all other posts....hard hard group.

England and Paraguay.

I will cry if England do not make it through.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Fat Frank is going to love the footballs being used - wonder what the odds are on him being top scorer for England.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Fat Frank is going to love the footballs being used - wonder what the odds are on him being top scorer for England.

Ladbrookes were offering 5/1 earlier today. May've come in a smidge since.

 

[33/3from3.3]

at least one penalty in today's games i's thinkin'

 

[Simon]

at least one penalty in today's games i's thinkin'

Odds of $3.25 for there to be a penalty in the match (also the same odds for every match)
i think its a good chance of happening too...